Marcus opened his mouth, but no answer came.
The question was simple enough that everyone understood it.
If Natalie had been an ordinary visitor, would Marcus have considered his actions acceptable? If she had been a woman with no title, no authority, and no one important waiting for her inside a courtroom, would he still have believed he could grab her, shove her to the floor, and intimidate her without consequences?
His silence answered more than his words could have.
Samuel Carter rose beside Natalie. His expression had changed from concern to unmistakable anger.
Samuel Carter: "Officer Reed, step away from the judge."
Marcus Reed: "I'm not a threat to her."
Samuel Carter: "You were just a threat to her a moment ago. Step back."
For the first time that morning, Marcus obeyed an instruction without arguing.
He moved away from Natalie, though his eyes continued to dart between her and the gathering crowd. His hand reached instinctively toward his radio.
Samuel noticed immediately.
Samuel Carter: "Keep your hands where everyone can see them."
Marcus Reed: "I'm contacting my supervisor."
Samuel Carter: "You can do that after courthouse security secures this area."
Marcus lowered his hand.
The corridor was no longer under his control. Every person watching him seemed to understand that, and the realization was written across his face.
A few moments later, David Lawson, a courthouse security officer in a dark uniform, hurried around the corner. He had heard the disturbance over the internal radio system and arrived expecting a routine dispute between a police officer and a visitor.
Instead, he found Judge Natalie Brooks standing beside the bailiff, blood visible at her lip, while a crowd of witnesses watched Officer Marcus Reed from several feet away.
David Lawson: "What's happening here?"
Samuel Carter: "Officer Reed assaulted Judge Brooks. I need this corridor secured, and I need the incident reported immediately."
David looked at Natalie, then at Marcus.
David Lawson: "Judge Brooks, are you injured?"
Natalie Brooks: "I have a cut on my lip and pain in my leg. I would like medical personnel to examine me. I also want every camera recording this corridor preserved."
David Lawson: "Understood, Your Honor. I'll arrange both."
Marcus shook his head rapidly.
Marcus Reed: "Nobody is listening to my side of this."
Natalie turned toward him.
Natalie Brooks: "You will have an opportunity to provide a statement. So will every witness here. That is how an investigation is supposed to work."
Marcus Reed: "I was responding to a situation."
Natalie Brooks: "Then explain the situation. Begin with why you approached me."
He hesitated.
It was the first question he could not answer without revealing something he had not yet explained.
Marcus Reed: "I received information about a person who was supposed to be in this building."
Natalie Brooks: "What information?"
Marcus Reed: "I can't discuss operational details in front of a crowd."
Natalie Brooks: "You had no difficulty discussing them when you believed you were in control of this corridor."
A murmur moved through the witnesses.
Marcus looked toward David, apparently hoping the security officer would intervene. David did not.
David Lawson: "Officer Reed, you can provide the details to your supervisor and the investigating authority. For now, please remain where you are."
Natalie turned to Samuel.
Natalie Brooks: "Samuel, did anyone notify you that an officer was searching for a visitor in this corridor?"
Samuel Carter: "No, Your Honor. I received no such notification."
Natalie Brooks: "Did you see anyone approach the courtroom doors before this happened?"
Samuel Carter: "I saw Officer Reed arrive from the eastern hallway. I heard him shouting before I reached the scene. I did not see anyone give him instructions."
Marcus's expression tightened.
Marcus Reed: "You weren't here when it started. You can't know what happened before you arrived."
Samuel Carter: "You're right. I can only testify to what I personally saw and heard. That's why the cameras and other witnesses matter."
That answer seemed to frustrate Marcus more than an accusation would have.
Samuel was not exaggerating. He was not shouting. He was simply insisting that the facts be preserved.
And facts were becoming a problem for Marcus.
The woman in the gray cardigan stepped forward cautiously.
Woman: "Excuse me, Your Honor. I recorded part of what happened."
Natalie turned toward her.
Natalie Brooks: "Thank you. Please don't delete or edit the recording. Security can explain the proper procedure for providing a copy."
Woman: "I won't. I started recording when he grabbed your folder. I thought he was going to hurt you."
Marcus immediately turned toward her.
Marcus Reed: "You should not interfere with a police investigation."
The woman flinched, but she did not lower her phone.